Transmigrated into a minor official in a county government, with children at home waiting for rice t

Li Hang was silent for a moment, then spoke in his usual gentle voice: "Clerk Tao, the prefectural government is not like the county government. Kong Wenfu's people are everywhere in the Records Office, and he also has his own confidants and old friends in various departments. You won't be as comfortable there as you are in Juancheng."

"But there's one thing I can tell you. When you go to the prefectural government, you're not working for Hao Yun, but for Juancheng. If the prefectural government has any news, you'll report it back, and we can respond sooner. That way, we won't be caught off guard and schemed against."

"More importantly, although the work in the prefectural government is difficult, it is also a good place for you to show your strengths. Like a whetstone, the stone of Juancheng is too smooth and soft. After cutting for so many years, the blade has become too dull and its sharpness is no longer visible."

"In the prefectural government, Kong Wenfu is deeply entrenched, Hao Yun is shrewd and suspicious, and the entire department is full of unfamiliar faces. Your trip there is like a dull knife encountering a rough stone. At first, you will inevitably stumble and fall, but after a few tries, the blade will become sharp."

He looked up at Tao Cheng, his gaze serious: "During your years in the Revenue Department, you've always sought stability, which is a strength. But being too stable has dulled your edge. The prefectural government will be your whetstone, your opportunity to take up a post!"

Tao Cheng bowed deeply and said, "This humble official understands. Thank you for your encouragement, Your Excellency."

Li Hang nodded and turned to Zhang Sanlang: "Shouli, after Tao Yashi is transferred, you will take over the vacancy of the Revenue Department Yashi."

Zhang Sanlang cupped his hands in greeting, "I am deeply grateful for the honor bestowed upon me by Your Excellency, and I dare not refuse."

Li Hang waved his hand and smiled: "This is not flattery. Hao Yun wanted Tao Yashi, and I agreed, on the condition that you would fill the position of Yashi in the Household Department. Hao Yun already agreed in the second court today. The prefectural government will not hold you back."

He glanced at Tao Cheng. "Furthermore, I plan to promote Zhou Quan to the rank of Clerk as well, to fill the quota for the four Clerks. What do you think, Magistrate Gu?"

Gu Yansheng was slightly taken aback upon hearing this, then nodded: "Zhou Quan is highly experienced and knowledgeable, and his temperament... well, he's quite reliable. Feng Jian rarely manages matters of the ceremonial office, so promoting him to clerk shouldn't be a problem."

When Tao Cheng heard the word "comprehensive", the corner of his mouth twitched slightly.

He glanced at Zhang Sanlang, then looked away and bowed to Li Hang: "Your Excellency grants my request. I thank Your Excellency on his behalf."

Li Hang waved his hand and turned back to Zhang Sanlang: "There's one more thing. Fang Zhong'an has been demoted to a minor official, so the position of the head of the criminal affairs department can't be left vacant. Shouli, you will temporarily serve as the head of the household affairs department, assisting in the affairs of the criminal affairs department and acting as the acting head."

Gu Yansheng frowned slightly: "Your Excellency, criminal matters carry great weight, and the handling of case files directly relates to murder cases. If someone deliberately finds errors in the case files you handle, the prefectural government can use this as an excuse to make trouble. Shouli is young and may not be able to handle it."

Li Hang glanced at him, and the slight smile on his lips returned: "County Magistrate Gu, have you forgotten who the Military Advisor is?"

Gu Yansheng was stunned for a moment.

"Xu Kai served as a county magistrate in Juancheng for two years, investigating the dockside murder case, handling the Chen Youde case, and arresting Kong Youan. Which of these cases didn't involve dealing with the criminal investigation department?"

"You should know his relationship with Shouli better than I do. With him guarding the criminal cases in the prefectural government, who can scheme against Shouli in criminal matters? Besides, my idea is to promote Zhou Quan to the position of clerk and concurrently manage the criminal department."

Gu Yansheng leaned back in his chair, let out a long sigh, and said with a relieved smile, "Your Excellency has paved the way for this much. I was just being nosy with my concerns."

Li Hang waved his hand, picked up his teacup but neither drank nor put it down, "Otherwise, tell me your concerns so I don't miss anything."

Gu Yansheng glanced at him, straightened his sleeves, and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Li Hang: "Your Excellency, I will go back and draft the transfer documents first. The transfer document for Clerk Tao should also be prepared before the prefectural government issues the official document."

Li Hang nodded.

Seeing this, Tao Cheng also cupped his hands in greeting to Li Hang: "Your Excellency, I will first return to the Household Department to organize the handover register, so as to avoid any mistakes or omissions during the haste of the transfer."

Li Hang nodded again.

Zhang Sanlang looked around, intending to take his leave, but Li Hang stopped him with a look.

Sunlight slanted in through the window, spreading across the brick floor. Only three people remained in the second hall.

Zhao Changyan coughed lightly beside him, picked up his teacup and took a sip. "Jingzhai, after listening to your long explanation, I understand now. Your agreement to Hao Yun to transfer Tao Yashi was not a concession, but rather an attempt to plant spies."

He shook his head, added with a wry smile, "Every step you take is designed with his future in mind. Promoting Zhou Quan to concurrently manage the criminal affairs department not only helps Shou Li take the fall, but also appeases Tao Cheng's intention to take care of his former subordinates."

Zhao Changyan stood up and walked to Li Hang's desk. "This isn't how you act as an official; you're manipulating the chessboard. I'd rather just stick to copying official documents for you."

"By the way, Jingzhai, you just said that Hao Yun is narrow-minded. What about you? Did you offend him back in Beijing?"

Li Hang picked up his teacup and took a sip: "I glanced at his fan outside the examination hall, and he remembered it until today. However, I am still of some use to him, so he may not necessarily intend to deal with me for the time being."

Zhao Changyan's lips twitched: "You offend people in such an effortless way."

Zhang Sanlang stood before the desk, his hands hanging at his sides, his face calm and serene.

Li Hang glanced at him. "Behave yourself."

"exist."

"Zhou Quan is unfamiliar with criminal law. After he becomes a clerk, you will need to personally oversee the detailed affairs of the criminal division. The more capable, the more work. Before the year-end evaluation, I want to see these two departments function perfectly under your leadership, Zhang Shouli, and be capable of shouldering heavy responsibilities!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Sanlang bowed respectfully and said, "This humble official understands."

Li Hang glanced at him for a couple of moments. "Fang Zhong'an was dismissed from his post as a front-line officer, and he probably harbors some resentment. I don't have much energy to deal with this, so you should step in and appease him. For example, his stipend should still be paid as if he were still a front-line officer."

Zhang Sanlang lowered his eyelids: "This humble official knows what's going on."

Li Hang nodded and waved to him.

Zhang Sanlang took two steps back, turned around, and pushed open the door.

Before we knew it, the sun had already begun to set.

Summer days are long, and the afterglow of the setting sun shines obliquely down from the ceremonial gate, turning the entire corridor a warm yellow.

The blue brick floor under the eaves had been exposed to the sun all day, and you could still feel the residual warmth seeping up from under your feet when you stepped on it. It was dry, but not unpleasant.

He walked slowly along the corridor, each step firm and steady. A faint smile played on his lips; he showed no signs of pressure despite the conversation in the second hall.

Several sparrows fluttered out from under the eaves, skimmed over the eaves of the ceremonial gate, and headed towards the old locust tree.

In the distance came the rustling sounds of clerks organizing files in their offices, mixed with the crisp sound of abacus beads being turned, leaking through the half-open window and falling onto the quiet corridor.

Fang Zhong'an was demoted, and Tao Cheng was about to be transferred to the prefectural government.

If the Juancheng County government office were a chessboard, then officials like Li Hang, the chief clerk, would be the players. The four chief clerks would be the four largest pieces. Now, it's his turn to be a major piece.

very good!

The joy of striving alongside others is boundless!